El Paso businesses and residents, fed up with some of the highest electric rates in Texas, continue to mull the introduction of competition to the area's electric market as they see customers in parts of Texas with electric choice -- like Dallas and Houston -- paying much lower electric rates.

The result is yet another clear example that competition drives down electric rates, as customers at El Paso Electric are paying some of the highest electric rates in Texas, and customers and city leaders have had enough. For example, a residential customer using 1,000 kWh at El Paso Electric in December paid a rate of 11.2 cents per kWh, while customers in Dallas, who can shop for their electric supply, could get a fixed rate as low as 8 cents per kWh, with variable rates even lower.

"The tone they're setting by saying, 'We have the highest rates and we're taking them higher,' shows they have no interest in the community" Niland said.

Niland noted that due to El Paso Electric's high electric rates, the city, "cannot compete for businesses," with places such as Houston and Laredo -- both areas where customers can choose their electric provider.